[Golf Topic] ‘Asian Tour Money Leader’ Kim Juhyung "Settles at World Ranking 79"…Jon Rahm No. 1

Kim Juhyung is holding a trophy and posing for a commemorative photo after becoming the Asian Tour's leading money winner. Photo by Asian Tour

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ○…‘Domestic No. 1’ Kim Joo-hyung (20) has risen to 79th in the world rankings.

In the weekly official golf world rankings announced on the afternoon of the 24th (Korean time), he received 1.74 points, soaring 10 spots from 89th last week. Following his victory at the Asian Tour Singapore International on the 16th, he added points with a runner-up finish at the 2020/2021/2022 season finale SMBC Singapore Open held yesterday at the Sentosa Golf Club Serapong Course (par 71) in Singapore. Amid the COVID-19 impact, which led to the integration of three seasons, he also claimed the money title with $507,553.

Jon Rahm (Spain) remains in 1st place (9.30 points), with Collin Morikawa still chasing in 2nd place (8.48 points). ‘Playoff (PO) Champ’ Patrick Cantlay is 3rd, while Dustin Johnson (both USA) has dropped to 4th. It is interesting that Viktor Hovland (Norway), led by a tie for 4th at the DP World Tour (European Tour) Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, is positioned 5th. Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele (both USA) are 6th and 7th respectively.

‘Abu Dhabi Champ’ Thomas Pieters (Belgium) jumped 38 spots from 69th to 31st. He secured his 6th career win in two months, following the Portugal Masters last November. Notably, this is part of the ‘Rolex Series,’ which bundles five premium matches on the DP World Tour. American PGA Tour American Express winner Hudson Swafford rose from 166th to 61st, breaking into the ‘Top 100’ in one leap. For Korea, Im Sung-jae (24) is 24th, Kim Si-woo (27) is 54th, and Lee Kyung-hoon (31) is 68th.